{D.I.Y.} Nature Bookmarks

{D.I.Y.} Nature Bookmarks

This is the perfect activity in which you can collect embellishments right in your very own backyard! The fun part is using sustainable material to decorate with. Of course, not only bookmarks can be made, but cards, and any other ideas you come up with! This also makes for great and easy gifts, just as much.

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Materials Needed:

• Recycled Paper Shopping Bags / Solid Colored Cardstock
• Old Book / Newspapers / Magazines / Graphic Printed Paper
• Clear (Peel and Stick) Contact Paper
• Glue Stick
• Mod Podge / Set Adhesive
• Hole Punch
• Yarn / String / Ribbon
• Pressed Flowers, Leaves, Etc...
• Natural embellishments should be pressed in heavy books between wax paper, prior to project by at least two weeks.

How To Create:

1. Measure and cut solid colored paper to your liking. (Approximate sizing: 2.5 inch by 5 inch.) Take your graphic paper or other background and cut in length small enough to leave base paper be the frame for the bookmark. (1.5 inch by 4 inch.) Glue stick background to base, respectively.
2. Next, arrange where you wish the pressed plants will be placed.
3. To secure arrangement in place, paint a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the framed bookmark. Place plant where you had arranged it to be and paint another thin layer over top. Wait around 10 minutes until completely dried.
4. Cut out a piece of contact paper that is a tad larger than of the entire bookmark itself. Adhere sticky side down over the plants and paper. Smooth out trapped air with your finger, removing any bubbles.
5. Trim excess contact paper along sides being careful of edges.
6. Add thin yarn, string, or ribbon to hole punched on top bookmark. Tie a knot, otherwise, you can braid three strands of yarn or string then tie off for a fancier look. Another option is creating a tassel with string, instead.

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Source:

www.SproutingWildOnes.com

Make Your Own Natural Face Masks

Make Your Own Natural Face Masks

Chances are you want clear skin but only with natural ingredients. 

Well fear not, here are some mask formulas to consider trying.

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For Glowing Skin

• 1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
• 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
• 1 Teaspoon Honey
• 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar (Optional)

• Mix above ingredients to make a scrub. Apply to washed face, gently massaging for roughly 3 minutes. Leave on face for 20 minutes. Use damp cloth to remove from face.
• Honey and coconut oil keep skin hydrated and moisturized. They have power to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. And they are very much known for dissolving dead skins cells, clearing porous blocks, and reducing black heads. The perfect pair!

For Acne Free Skin

• 1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
• 1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg Powder
• 1/8 Teaspoon Lemon Juice

• Mix ingredients together. Apply to full face or to affected areas of acne. Keep on face for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.
• Nutmeg is valued for keeping pores clean. It can help skin appear clear of acne. Meanwhile, lemon prevents dark spots from occurring on the face. Such an amazing duo!

For Moisturized Skin

• 1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
• 1 Teaspoon Honey
• 1/2 Teaspoon Sweet Almond Oil

• Create paste by mixing all ingredients together. Apply to cleansed face and neck, leaving on for 30 minutes. Remove with clean damp cloth.
• Almond oil is a healthy alternative packed with vitamins, rather than traditional oils. It provides moisturizing benefits to your face; allowing for soft, smooth skin.

For Oil Free Skin

• 1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
• 1/2 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
• 1 Teaspoon Greek Vanilla Yogurt

• Combine ingredients together, mixing well until concoction is creamy. Apply to cleansed face and neck, leaving on for 30 minutes. Rinse off with cold water when time is complete.
• Yogurt contains proteins, fats, and vitamins that allow skin to be hydrated and retain elasticity. These key factors make it an effective moisturizing client.

For Sensitive Skin

• 1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
• 1 Teaspoon Mashed Banana
• 1/2 Teaspoon Honey

• Blend ingredients until creamy. Apply to clean face and neck for about 30 minutes. Wipe off with damp rag.
• Ripe bananas provide glowing hydration to skin. They help maintain firmness, prevent acne breakouts, and restore facial blemishes in due time. Honey also kills bacteria which can stop acne from appearing on face.

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Sources:

www.AlluringSoul.com, www.BeBeautiful.in

Creating a Gallery Wall

Creating a Gallery Wall

A gallery wall is a collage of different articles to cover an entire space. Articles are of different shapes, sizes, and proportions. Think of it as an accent wall. It's a fun and creative way to add personality to most any room!

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Collecting Items

• Imagery
• Collect any and all pieces of your favorite art. This can be framed images, unframed pieces, canvas, posters, photographs, printed pictures, and so on...
• Decorations
• Sames goes for decorations! Collect items such as wall decal stickers, flags, string lights, faux string plants, clocks, mirrors and so on. Basically, find things other than imagery that can be hung on the wall.
• Bulletin Board
• Bulletin boards are great because they fill up a pretty decent sized space. They can be useful for unframed photographs, loose papers, and smaller things to be pinned on.
• Shelves
• Shelves make for easy gap fillers. Floating shelves make for a nice option even. This way, for things that can't be hung on the wall, they can be nice to hold other decorative objects.

Decorating

• Placement
• It's all about how you feel when it comes to making your own gallery wall. Think about it for a while; draw out some of your art and how it would display on your wall, take a moment to figure out a good arrangement. For me personally, since I actually have a small gallery wall in my room, I thought about the bigger pieces and the ones I deem as more important in my range of sight. These are what I placed first. Then I filled in gaps with smaller pictures and whatnot.
• Hanging Up
• As soon as you have a plan in mind, you can start hanging art up. The fun part is putting different textures together, colors, and really creating a solid accent wall of memories. The thing I really enjoy about gallery walls are the fact that nothing set in place is perfect. Everything is truly combined with creativity and enjoyment!

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Source: N/A 

Creative Ways to Decorate Your Graduation Cap

 

Creative Ways to Decorate Your Graduation Cap

Your final assignment counts for no grade! Be creative and have fun all the while celebrating a year of accomplishment because you've earned it. Graduation caps are a memory you can add personality to and preserve with a creative touch. Leave a comment if you have more ideas to share that aren't included on this list. Thank you! :)

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Floral Crown Not directly on the top, but on the crown of your head (think floral crown but with the cap still on) arrange and adhere some flowers. This is so adorable and leaves plenty of room on the top for a quote or saying if you wish.

Floral Corners/Edges Add faux flowers to the top corners or edges. It's like a border which can be in the corners of the cap or filling around the entire square. Still allows for plenty of room in the middle to place other designs.

Stickers Stickers or iron ons are a great option when it comes to easy decoration. You can use any sort of stickers from flowers, letters, and so on.

Graphic Paper

Graphic paper can be anything from floral to your favorite television character. Visit the craft store and pick out paper or print a design and glue to the headwear. Adding floral paper is an easier way to place flowers. Cut a grouping of flowers from chosen paper and paste onto cap corners. Another simple way to decorate is cutting a square to fit the entire cap using it as a background. I've seen glitter paper used most often. It's easy to then decorate, having the background give everything a bit more personality.

 

Paint Create a masterpiece with your graduation head piece! Fabric paint will be best for this project. Of course, if using glitter or confetti with the paint, all will dry leaving your creation sparkle!

Beads/Gemstones Beads will add texture like no other. Glue the beads directly to the cap. Pearls for example, will give you a classy look. Use beads for borders or faux gemstones to trace letters or even, give flair to flowers. Bling is always in style!

 

 

Ribbon Lace ribbon? Yes please! Such exquisite taste you have! Lace makes for perfect borders. Grab yourself a wider ribbon even and tie a big bow. Place the bow in the corner that will go on back of your head. Stunning indeed!

Tassel It was worth the hassle, right? A minimalist way to decorate your tassel is by stringing up some beads and flowers. Create a pattern with those embellishments as if you're making a necklace or bracelet. Such a fun way to sport your school colors.

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Sources: N/A

{D.I.Y.} Shirt Collar Necklace

 

{D.I.Y.} Shirt Collar Necklace

Recently saw this idea on a Dhar Mann video from YouTube and had to share it with you all because I'm literally obsessed! It's a creative idea which finds a new use out of old collared shirts. It's simple yet stylish; a great way to reuse what we have left in our wardrobes or from thrift store finds!

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You Will Need:

• Collared Shirt

• Seam Ripper • Thread and Needle or Sewing Machine • Button (Scissors), Snaps, or Clasps • Embellishments (Examples:) Decorative Buttons, Beads, Sequins, Gems, Embroidery Patches...

Instructions:

01.) Using a seam ripper, carefully remove shirt collar from shirt.

02.) When the collar is removed there will be two sides, a raw side and clean side to the collar. With matching thread to fabric (as close as possible) hand sew or use machine to sew raw side. Fold raw edge to create a small seam allowance much like the clean side. Pin down raw side if needed when sewing.

03.) Next, sew a button, snap, or clasp to the top left corner flap of the collar. Cut a small hole for a button and sew edges or place other snap/clasp on opposite flap corner (inside facing neck) so the edges connect.

04.) Now comes the best part! Decorate as you wish using your imagination. Even leaving the collar as is can always make a statement to your outfit! Possibilities for this easy necklace idea are endless! First, iron the collar if possible so decorations adhere better. Then glue or sew embellishments to the jewelry piece.

For Visual Creation (Instructions with Pictures): {DIY} Shirt Collar Necklace

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Sources: www.DharMann.com & www.WeHeartThis.com